Paper-feeding device

ABSTRACT

A paper-feeding device with functions of single-face/double-face scanning and printing. The paper-feeding device has a simplified structure and reduced height, whereby a paper can be more smoothly delivered through a scanning module and/or a printing module in a paper delivery path of the paper-feeding device. The paper delivery path includes: a first path having a front section and a rear section; a second path connected to the rear section of the first path, an angle contained between the rear section of the first path and a horizontal reference axis and an angle contained between the second path and the horizontal reference axis ranging from 0° to 30°; a return path positioned between the first and second paths; and a paper discharge path. The paper can be selectively moved between the first and second paths and the return path to complete the single-face/double-face scanning and printing operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a paper-feeding device applied to an office machine, and more particularly to a paper-feeding device with less numbers of sensing units and electronic control components. Accordingly, the height of the paper-feeding device is reduced and the paper delivery path of the paper-feeding device has no sharp turn, whereby the paper can be more smoothly delivered to complete the single-face and/or double-face scanning and/or printing operation.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional automatic paper-feeding device is applicable to an office machine for achieving faxing, printing or scanning function. FIG. 1 shows a typical conventional automatic paper-feeding device. The automatic paper-feeding device includes a paper-feeding tray a and a paper discharge tray al for resting papers p thereon. A paper p passes through a roller c and roller sets c1, c2, c3 to enter a first path b1. After the front face of the paper p passes through a scanning module D, the paper p enters a second path b2. Then the paper p is driven by roller sets c4, c5 and a guide member f is switched to a position shown by the dashed line, whereby the paper p can be moved to a temporary storage area e by a roller set c7. Then the guide member f is switched to a position shown by the solid line to block the second path b2 and open a return path b3. Afterwards, the paper p in the temporary storage area e is driven by the reversely rotated roller sets c7, c6 to enter the return path b3. Then the roller set c3 further moves the paper p into the first path b1 to make the back face of the paper p pass through the scanning module D. Then the paper p is moved through the second path b2 and discharged by the roller set c5 to the paper discharge tray a1. At this time, the scanning operation for single face or both faces of the paper p is completed. The above automatic paper-feeding apparatus can be alternatively applied to a printing module.

FIG. 2 shows another typical conventional automatic paper-feeding device. The automatic paper-feeding device includes a paper-feeding tray g and a paper discharge tray g1 for resting papers p thereon. A paper p passes through a roller h to enter a paper-feeding path or a first path k1. After passing through a roller set h1, the front face of the paper p passes through a scanning module D and the paper p enters a second path k2. Then the paper p is driven by a roller set h2 and two guide members f1, f2 are switched to a position shown by the solid line, whereby the paper p can be moved to a temporary storage area el by a roller set h3. Afterwards, the paper p in the temporary storage area e1 is driven by the reversely rotated roller sets h3, h4 to enter a return path k3. Then the roller set h1 further moves the paper p into the first path k1 to make the back face of the paper p pass through the scanning module D. At this time, the scanning operation for single face or both faces of the paper p is completed. In the above automatic paper-feeding apparatus, the guide members f1, f2 can be switched to a posit ion shown by the dashed line, permitting the paper p to be moved by the roller sets h2, h5 to a temporary storage area e2. The paper p in the temporary storage area e2 is driven by the reversely rotated roller sets h5, h4 to enter the return path k3. Then the roller set h1 further moves the paper p into the first path k1. At this time, a guide member f3 is switched to a position shown by the dashed line to unblock a paper discharge path k4. Under such circumstance, the paper p can be moved into the paper discharge path k4 and discharged by the roller set h6 to the paper discharge tray g1.

The above automatic paper-feeding devices have some defects, for example, as follows:

1. The conventional automatic paper-feeding device has a complicated structure and much room is needed for arranging multiple sets of rollers c1˜c7 or h1˜h6 to complete the scanning operation for single face or both faces of the paper. As a result, the total height of the paper-feeding device is increased.

2. In the conventional automatic paper-feeding device, multiple sets of sensing units and electronic control mechanisms and components are required for controlling the guide members f1˜f3 to guide and delivery the paper in a set path. This increases the complicatedness of the structural design. Moreover, it is necessary to perform a complicated process for truly executing the paper delivery operation.

3. In the conventional automatic paper-feeding device, there is a considerably large drop of height of the paper delivery path. Accordingly, the paper apparently needs to move between an ascending position and a descending position in the paper delivery path. This is because the paper delivery path must be curved for arranging multiple complicated components inside the paper-feeding device. As a result, the paper delivery path needs to go up and down abruptly and change in height. In this case, the possibility of distortion of the paper and paper jam will be increased due to the complicated structure and control process and the excessively large drop of height of the paper delivery path.

4. In the conventional automatic paper-feeding device, the layouts of the return paths b3, k3 and the first paths b1, k1 are not optimal. This results in elongated return paths b3, k3 and sharp turns between the return paths b3, k3 and the first paths b1, k1.

It is therefore tried by the applicant to provide an improved paper-feeding device to overcome the above problems existing in the prior art.

The improved paper-feeding device has the following advantages:

1. The structure of the paper-feeding device is simplified and the manufacturing cost of the paper-feeding device is lowered.

2. The numbers of the roller sets, the sensing units and the electronic control mechanisms or components are decreased.

3. The total height of the paper-feeding device is reduced.

4. The drop of height of the paper delivery path is reduced and the paper delivery path is not apparently curved. In this case, the paper delivery path will not go up and down and change in height abruptly. Therefore, the paper can be delivered more smoothly.

5. The paper-feeding device has the function of double-face scanning and printing without the problem caused by imperfect layout of the return path and the first path and sharp turn therebetween.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a paper-feeding device with functions of single-face/double-face scanning and printing to overcome the defects of complicated structure, high possibility of distortion of the paper and large drop of height of the paper delivery path.

To achieve the above and other objects, the paper-feeding device of the present invention has a simplified structure and reduced height, whereby a paper can be more smoothly delivered through a scanning module and/or a printing module in a paper delivery path of the paper-feeding device. The paper delivery path includes: a first path having a front section and a rear section; a second path connected to the rear section of the first path, an angle contained between the rear section of the first path and a horizontal reference axis and an angle contained between the second path and the horizontal reference axis ranging from 0° to 30°; a return path positioned between the first and second paths; and a paper discharge path. The paper can be selectively moved between the first and second paths and the return path to complete the single-face/double-face scanning and printing operation.

In the above paper-feeding device, the rear section of the first path and a horizontal reference axis contain an angle ranging from 0° to 30°. Also, the second path and the horizontal reference axis contain an angle ranging from 0° to 30°. In other words, the roller sets of the paper-feeding device are arranged in positions as close to the front section of the first path and the second path as possible. Accordingly, the gradient or inclination of the rear section of the first path and the second path is limited below 30° to make the paper delivery path more gentle without any large drop of height and sharp turn as in the paper delivery path of the conventional paper-feeding device.

In the above paper-feeding device, the return path has a first end and a second end in communication with the second path and the front section of the first path respectively. The inclination of the return path, (that is, the angle contained between the return path and a horizontal reference axis), is smaller than 30°. Under such circumstance, in consideration of the possible minimum distance between the return path and the first path, the second end of the return path and the front section of the first path meet at a junction as close to a paper-feeding roller as possible. Accordingly, the length of the return path is as reduced as possible. Moreover, the junction between the return path and the first path will not turn abruptly.

In the above paper-feeding device, two valves are respectively disposed at the junction between the first end of the return path and the second path and the junction between the second end of the return path and the front section of the first path. Under their own weight, the valves normally block the second path and the second end of the return path. The second path and the second end of the return path are temporarily unblocked only when the paper moves to push the valves open. In comparison with the conventional paper-feeding device in which three sets of guide members and cooperative sensing units and electronic control mechanisms or components are arranged, the layout of the paper delivery path of the present invention is simplified. The numbers of the relevant sensing units and electronic control mechanisms are as reduced as possible and only two valves are arranged in the paper delivery path of the present invention to automatically operate with the movement of the paper.

In the above paper-feeding device, the roller sets are arranged in positions as close to the front section of the first path and the second path as possible. Moreover, in consideration of the possible minimum distance between the return path and the first path, the second end of the return path and the front section of the first path meet at a junction as close to the paper-feeding roller as possible. Accordingly, the length of the return path is as reduced as possible. Also, the numbers of the roller sets is as reduced as possible.

The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a conventional paper-feeding device;

FIG. 2 is a view of another conventional paper-feeding device;

FIG. 3 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the paper-feeding device of the present invention, showing image processing operation of single face of a paper;

FIG. 4 is a view of another embodiment of the paper-feeding device of the present invention, showing image processing operation of double face of a paper; and

FIG. 5 is a view of still another preferred embodiment of the paper-feeding device of the present invention, showing that the paper is discharged from a paper discharge path after the image processing operation of the paper is completed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer to FIG. 3, which shows a preferred embodiment of the paper-feeding device of the present invention for image processing operation of single face of paper sheet. According to this embodiment, the paper-feeding device defines a paper delivery path (denoted by reference numeral 10). A paper p can pass through an image processing section 20 in paper delivery path 10. The image processing section 20 is a scanning module and/or a printing module. The paper delivery path 10 includes a paper-feeding path or a first path 11, a second path 12 communicating with the first path 11, a return path 13 positioned between the first and second paths 11, 12 and a paper discharge path 14. In this embodiment, the first path 11 includes a front section 15 and a rear section 16 in communication with the second path 12. The return path 13 has a first end 17 and a second end 18 in communication with the second path 12 and the front section 15 of the first path 11 respectively as shown in FIG. 3.

In order to avoid abrupt rise or fall (drop of height) of the paper delivery path 10 and make the paper delivery path 10 more gentle, the inclination of the return path 13, (that is, the angle contained between the return path 13 and a horizontal reference axis x1), is smaller than 90°. Under such circumstance, in consideration of the possible minimum distance between the return path 13 and the first path 11, the second end 18 of the return path and the front section 15 of the first path meet at a junction as close to a paper-feeding roller 30 as possible. Accordingly, the length of the return path 13 is as reduced as possible. Moreover, the junction between the return path 13 and the first path 11 will not turn abruptly. In a preferred embodiment, the angle contained between the return path 13 and the horizontal reference axis x1 ranges from 10° to 60°.

Again referring to FIG. 3, in addition to the paper-feeding roller 30, the paper-feeding device also includes multiple roller sets 31, 32, 33, 34 arranged in the paper delivery path 10. The roller sets 31, 32 and the roller sets 33, 34 are respectively positioned on left and right sides of the paper delivery path 10. In a preferred embodiment, the rear section 16 of the first path and a horizontal reference axis x2 contain an angle ranging from 0° to 30°. Also, the second path 12 (or the paper discharge path 14) and the horizontal reference axis x2 contain an angle ranging from 0° to 30°. In other words, the roller sets 31, 32 and the roller sets 33, 34 of the paper-feeding device are respectively arranged in positions as close to the front section 15 of the first path 11 and the second path 12 (or the paper discharge path 14) as possible in precondition that the paper p can be delivered. Accordingly, the gradient or inclination of the rear section 16 of the first path and the second path 12 (or the paper discharge path 14) is limited below 30° to make the paper delivery path 10 more gentle. This also helps in reducing the total height of the paper-feeding device.

In a preferred embodiment, a guide member 40 is reciprocally movably disposed in the paper discharge path 14 to normally block the paper discharge path 14. The guide member 40 is controlled to unblock the paper discharge path 14 only when the paper p needs to be discharged from the paper discharge path 14. In the preferred embodiment, two reciprocally movable valves 41, 42 are respectively disposed at the junction between the first end 17 of the return path and the second path 12 and the junction between the second end 18 of the return path and the front section 15 of the first path. Under their own weight, the valves 41, 42 normally block the second path 12 and the second end 18 of the return path. The second path 12 and the second end 18 of the return path are temporarily unblocked only when the paper p moves to push the valves 41, 42 open. In comparison with the conventional paper-feeding device in which three sets of guide members and cooperative sensing units and electronic control mechanisms or components are arranged, the layout of the paper delivery path 10 of the present invention is simplified. Only two valves 41, 42 are arranged in the paper delivery path 10, which are automatically operable with the movement of the paper p without using any sensing unit or electronic control mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 3, the document or paper p is delivered for single-face scanning and/or printing operation in a direction shown by the arrows. The paper-feeding roller 30 feeds the paper p into the first path 11. Then the roller sets 31, 32 deliver the paper p through the image processing section 20. Afterwards, the paper p enters the rear section 16 of the first. path to push the valve 41 open and enter the second path 12. Then the paper p arrives the exit of the second path 12 or the temporary storage area 19. (After the paper p passes through the valve 41, the valve 41 will automatically downward swing to block the second path 12 under its own weight.) At this time, the image processing operation of single face or a first face of the document or paper p is completed.

FIG. 4 shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the paper-feeding device defines a paper delivery path (denoted by reference numeral 10). A paper p can pass through an image processing section 20 in paper delivery path 10. The image processing section 20 is a scanning module and/or a printing module. The paper delivery path 10 includes a paper-feeding path or a first path 11, a second path 12 communicating with the first path 11, a return path 13 positioned between the first and second paths 11, 12 and a paper discharge path 14. In this embodiment, the first path 11 includes a front section 15 and a rear section 16 in communication with the second path 12. The return path 13 includes a first end 17 and a second end 18 in communication with the second path 12 and the front section 15 of the first path 11 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 4, the document or paper p is delivered for double-face or second face scanning and/or printing operation in a direction shown by the arrows. After, the single-face or first face scanning and/or printing operation is completed as shown in FIG. 3, the roller set 33 rotates in a reverse direction to feed the paper p backward (to the right side of FIG. 4) into the return path 13. The paper p then pushes the valve 42 open to enter the front section 15 of the first path. Then the roller sets 31, 32 deliver the paper p through the image processing section 20. Afterwards, the paper p enters the rear section 16 of the first path. According to a preferred embodiment, the paper p moves in the path of FIG. 3 to again push the valve 41 open and enter the second path 12. Then the paper p is discharged from the exit of the second path 12 or the temporary storage area 19.

Alternatively, after the paper p passes through the image processing section 20 and enters the rear section 16 of the first path, the guide member 40 is controlled to swing upward to block the second path 12 and unblock the paper discharge path 14 as shown in FIG. 5. Under such circumstance, the paper p will enter the paper discharge path 14 and the roller set 34 will deliver and discharge the paper p from the paper discharge path 14 to complete the image processing operation of double face or the second face of the paper p.

According to the above arrangement, the present invention has the following advantages:

1. The roller sets 31, 32 and the roller sets 33, 34 of the paper-feeding device are respectively arranged in positions as close to the front section 15 of the first path 11 and the second path 12 as possible. Accordingly, the uphill gradient or inclination of the rear section 16 of the first path and the second path 12 is as reduced as possible. In other words, the angle contained between the rear section 16 of the first path and the horizontal reference axis x2 and the angle contained between the second path 12 and the horizontal reference axis x2 are limited below 30°. In contrast, in the conventional paper-feeding device, many roller sets and cooperative sensing/control units are arranged to occupy much room and the paper delivery path must abruptly ascend to pass over these components. Also, the total height of the paper-feeding device of the present invention is reduced.

2. In consideration of the possible minimum distance between the return path 13 and the first path 11, the second end 18 of the return path and the front section 15 of the first path meet at a junction as close to the paper-feeding roller 30 as possible. Accordingly, the length of the return path 13 is as reduced as possible. Therefore, the junction between the return path 13 and the first path 11 will not turn abruptly.

3. In comparison with the conventional paper-feeding device in which multiple guide members and relevant sensing units and electronic control units are arranged, the paper delivery path 10 of the present invention is specifically designed and improved. Only two valves 41, 42 are arranged in the paper delivery path 10. The valves 41, 42 can swing under their own weight and automatically operate with the movement of the paper p without using any sensing unit or electronic control mechanism. In the conventional paper-feeding device, multiple (about 6˜7) roller sets and multiple (at least about 2˜4) sets of guide members and relevant sensing units and electronic control units are arranged. In contrast, the paper-feeding device of the present invention only adopts 3˜4 roller sets 31, 32, 33, 34 and one guide member 40 and relevant sensing unit and electronic control unit. Accordingly, the paper p can be more smoothly delivered and the manufacturing cost for the paper-feeding device is greatly lowered. In contrast, the conventional paper-feeding device has a complicated structure, which leads to a considerably large drop of height of the paper delivery path. Accordingly, the paper can be hardly smoothly delivered and the possibility of distortion of the paper is increased.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A paper-feeding device having a paper delivery path and a paper-feeding roller and several roller sets arranged in the paper delivery path, whereby a paper can pass through an image processing section, the paper delivery path including: a first path including a front section and a rear section provided with a paper discharge path; a second path connected to the rear section of the first path, an angle contained between the rear section of the first path and a horizontal reference axis and an angle contained between the second path and the horizontal reference axis being smaller than 30°; and a return path positioned between the first and second paths, the return path having a first end and a second end, whereby the paper can be selectively moved between the first and second paths and the return path, the first end of the return path being connected to the second path, the second end of the return path being connected to the front section of the first path, a junction between the second end of the return path and the front section of the first path being positioned in a position close to the paper-feeding roller, the return path having an inclination, which is an angle contained between the return path and a horizontal reference axis (x1).
 2. The paper-feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle contained between the return path and the horizontal reference axis (x1) ranges from 10° to 60°.
 3. The paper-feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the roller sets are respectively arranged on two sides of the paper delivery path in positions close to the front section of the first path and the second path.
 4. The paper-feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a reciprocally movable valve is disposed at a junction between the first end of the return path and the second path, under its own weight, the valve normally blocking the second path.
 5. The paper-feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a reciprocally movable valve is disposed at the junction between the second end of the return path and the front section of the first path, under its own weight, the valve normally blocking the second end of the return path.
 6. The paper-feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear section of the first path is connected to the paper discharge path, an angle contained between the rear section of the first path and the horizontal reference axis and an angle contained between the paper discharge path and the horizontal reference axis being smaller than 30°.
 7. The paper-feeding device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a reciprocally movable guide member is disposed at a junction between the paper discharge path and the rear sect ion of the first path, the guide member normally blocking the paper discharge path.
 8. The paper-feeding device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the roller sets are respectively arranged in positions close to the front section of the first path and the paper discharge path.
 9. The paper-feeding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the image processing section is a scanning module and/or a printing module. 